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Japanese Sword Fighting: Secrets of the Samurai
Hidden Essence of the Martial Arts and the Spirit of the Samurai
Japanese history is replete with great sword masters. Legendary figures such as Koizumi Isenokami, Tsukahara Bokuden, Yagyu Munenori, Miyamoto Musashi, and Ito Ittosai have been revered as deities for countless years, forged into the history of Japan's martial arts. But there were also many lesser
known samurai who carried the spirit of Bushido, Tirelessly devoting themselves to Japan's martial traditions and mastering their many fighting forms. Japan's rich legacy of swordsmanship has been passed on through these generations of samurai, who developed many techniques using the long sword,
short sword, and Ninja sword, among others.
In this book, Masaaki Hatsumi, the most renonwned Budo and Ninja grandmaster in the world, explores the venerable history of Japanese sword fighting, sharing with the reader his reflections on the hidden essence of this revered martial art. He covers a variety of classical techniques including Ninja
kenpo, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, as well as two-sword techniques. Drawing on his deep knowledge, the author demonstrates advenced, practical applications of the art, using the stick, spear, naginata, and kusarigama. More mysterious, secret techniques are also discussed, including those involving armor,
and the variety of renowned mutodori (no-sword) forms-the ultimate martial skill of the samurai. Works of calligraphy by famous samurai masters, such as Asari Matashichiro and Yamaoka Tesshu, accompany the descriptions, as well as important historical scrolls and an array of lavish illustrations
that help demonstrate the grace and beauty of Japanese sword fighting.
After his highly acclaimed works The Way of the Ninja and Advanced Stick Fighting , Masaaki Hatsumi continues to pursue his life's ambition of fostering and spreading Budo throughout the world, with this definitive book on the art of Japanese sword fighting. Within his technical descriptions and
musings on the history of Bushido, Hatsumi's philosophy of promoting a world of peace and tolerance is ever present, as is his firm belief in the universality of Budo, espoused in his own ". . . if the seed of Japan's Budo is planted anywhere in the world, it will continue to grow and
flourish."
Japanese history is replete with great sword masters. Legendary figures such as Koizumi Isenokami, Tsukahara Bokuden, Yagyu Munenori, Miyamoto Musashi, and Ito Ittosai have been revered as deities for countless years, forged into the history of Japan's martial arts. But there were also many lesser
known samurai who carried the spirit of Bushido, Tirelessly devoting themselves to Japan's martial traditions and mastering their many fighting forms. Japan's rich legacy of swordsmanship has been passed on through these generations of samurai, who developed many techniques using the long sword,
short sword, and Ninja sword, among others.
In this book, Masaaki Hatsumi, the most renonwned Budo and Ninja grandmaster in the world, explores the venerable history of Japanese sword fighting, sharing with the reader his reflections on the hidden essence of this revered martial art. He covers a variety of classical techniques including Ninja
kenpo, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu, as well as two-sword techniques. Drawing on his deep knowledge, the author demonstrates advenced, practical applications of the art, using the stick, spear, naginata, and kusarigama. More mysterious, secret techniques are also discussed, including those involving armor,
and the variety of renowned mutodori (no-sword) forms-the ultimate martial skill of the samurai. Works of calligraphy by famous samurai masters, such as Asari Matashichiro and Yamaoka Tesshu, accompany the descriptions, as well as important historical scrolls and an array of lavish illustrations
that help demonstrate the grace and beauty of Japanese sword fighting.
After his highly acclaimed works The Way of the Ninja and Advanced Stick Fighting , Masaaki Hatsumi continues to pursue his life's ambition of fostering and spreading Budo throughout the world, with this definitive book on the art of Japanese sword fighting. Within his technical descriptions and
musings on the history of Bushido, Hatsumi's philosophy of promoting a world of peace and tolerance is ever present, as is his firm belief in the universality of Budo, espoused in his own ". . . if the seed of Japan's Budo is planted anywhere in the world, it will continue to grow and
flourish."
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 7, 2006
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About the author
Masaaki Hatsumi
71 books53 followersFormerly Yoshiaki Hatsumi, is the founder of the Bujinkan Organization and is the former Togakure-ryū Soke (Grandmaster). He currently resides and teaches in Noda, Chiba, Japan.
Hatsumi was born in Noda, Chiba on December 2, 1931. He heavily participated in sports during his school years, along with martial arts and theater, including becoming "captain of the football team". While attending the Meiji University, he continued learning judo and eventually rose to Yudansha or Dan rank. He also began teaching Judo during his time at the university to American soldiers at the nearby Yokota Air Base. After graduating, Hatsumi began to search for a teacher to further his study of martial arts. He began his Kobudo training under Ueno Chosui. When he was 26 he met Ueno's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, known as "the Tiger of Mongolia". Hatsumi was accepted as Takamatsu's student and spent fifteen years on Honshu Island learning various ninjutsu styles from Takamatsu and other members of the Takamatsu family, also he continued to learn judo, Shito Ryu karate, aikido, and kobudo.
Takamatsu died in Nara, Japan in 1972 after advancing Hatsumi from student to Soke and bestowing on him "all the art of the nine schools", and of course the grandmaster's scrolls, three of which he indicated were ancient ninja schools and six samurai jujutsu schools of martial arts. Hatsumi went on to found the Bujinkan Dojo in Noda, Japan to teach the nine schools to other students. His first trip to the United States was in 1982 and he has since continued to participate in yearly ninjutsu Tai Kai (gathering) around the world.
Hatsumi also worked as a Seikotsu-in (整骨院) bonesetter after his graduation and was chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan at one point in time. He was the writer of a martial arts magazine Tetsuzan, which was "distributed in 18 countries.
Hatsumi was born in Noda, Chiba on December 2, 1931. He heavily participated in sports during his school years, along with martial arts and theater, including becoming "captain of the football team". While attending the Meiji University, he continued learning judo and eventually rose to Yudansha or Dan rank. He also began teaching Judo during his time at the university to American soldiers at the nearby Yokota Air Base. After graduating, Hatsumi began to search for a teacher to further his study of martial arts. He began his Kobudo training under Ueno Chosui. When he was 26 he met Ueno's teacher, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, known as "the Tiger of Mongolia". Hatsumi was accepted as Takamatsu's student and spent fifteen years on Honshu Island learning various ninjutsu styles from Takamatsu and other members of the Takamatsu family, also he continued to learn judo, Shito Ryu karate, aikido, and kobudo.
Takamatsu died in Nara, Japan in 1972 after advancing Hatsumi from student to Soke and bestowing on him "all the art of the nine schools", and of course the grandmaster's scrolls, three of which he indicated were ancient ninja schools and six samurai jujutsu schools of martial arts. Hatsumi went on to found the Bujinkan Dojo in Noda, Japan to teach the nine schools to other students. His first trip to the United States was in 1982 and he has since continued to participate in yearly ninjutsu Tai Kai (gathering) around the world.
Hatsumi also worked as a Seikotsu-in (整骨院) bonesetter after his graduation and was chairman of the Writers Guild of Japan at one point in time. He was the writer of a martial arts magazine Tetsuzan, which was "distributed in 18 countries.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 13, 2009
Some quotes to satisfy no one in particular.
"Just when you think the gokui exists "it does not, but if you think it doesn't, it appears in the scrolls of the dead like a miracle."
"Muto dori starts with the development of the courage to face an opponent with the preparedness of not having a sword...you must first know the purpose of the path of training. If you are unaware of this and proceed down the path of thinking that sword training is only about cutting and thrusting, then there is a danger that you will go down the path of the evil sword. The sword harnesses a pure essence that is life-giving- one who cannot live the way of the sword saint will foolishly think that the sword is only a tool for cutting. Those who do this can never achieve enlightenment."
At least now I know that I will never achieve enlightenment. Sucks to be me.
So, that is it. I will never harness the way of the sword like grandmaster supersamurai man. But, thanks to this book, I have a new rule- yay for rules! ESL/ bad translation books no longer qualify as material necessary to test to 100 pages. Awkward awkward English. I am sure I could be a samurai master if only I could read this in the original!
Oh the relief and shame of admitting this: I am never to be a sword saint, only to be a foolish one who thinks the sword a tool for cutting. stupid girl.
"Just when you think the gokui exists "it does not, but if you think it doesn't, it appears in the scrolls of the dead like a miracle."
"Muto dori starts with the development of the courage to face an opponent with the preparedness of not having a sword...you must first know the purpose of the path of training. If you are unaware of this and proceed down the path of thinking that sword training is only about cutting and thrusting, then there is a danger that you will go down the path of the evil sword. The sword harnesses a pure essence that is life-giving- one who cannot live the way of the sword saint will foolishly think that the sword is only a tool for cutting. Those who do this can never achieve enlightenment."
At least now I know that I will never achieve enlightenment. Sucks to be me.
So, that is it. I will never harness the way of the sword like grandmaster supersamurai man. But, thanks to this book, I have a new rule- yay for rules! ESL/ bad translation books no longer qualify as material necessary to test to 100 pages. Awkward awkward English. I am sure I could be a samurai master if only I could read this in the original!
Oh the relief and shame of admitting this: I am never to be a sword saint, only to be a foolish one who thinks the sword a tool for cutting. stupid girl.
March 15, 2012
Martial arts are filled with ego. I talk to people from various martial arts on a weekly basis and what most of them have in common is they think their particular style is the best. Really it's a load of old bunk.
I imagine the high rating for this book comes largely from people who train in Bujinkan Kobudo...and I imagine the 1 and 2 star ratings all come from people who do something else.
This book has some limited value, but I don't think it deserves the high rating.
I imagine the high rating for this book comes largely from people who train in Bujinkan Kobudo...and I imagine the 1 and 2 star ratings all come from people who do something else.
This book has some limited value, but I don't think it deserves the high rating.
August 31, 2017
Hatsumi's usual profound depth, though you're not going to learn swordsmanship here, you will be quite acquainted with its philosophies.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews